USA Today Article May 16, 2004

[exlurker]

USA Today ran a feature (not news) story on May 26 -- they asked readers for the "funniest memories of being in a sorority or fraternity." Around 10 or so responses are published --

http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifesty...memories_x.htm

A mix of stories and images of Greek life, ranging from the we-got-drunk-and-did-such-and-such to I-hope-my-daughter-joins-a-sorority-too.
One story involves a coffin and a "nature run" in "freezing rain."

My personal fave is probably the first one, where a woman mentions drinking too much Miller Lite and peeing all over herself.
Apparently pictures were taken . . . .

Two GLOs are named -- not in particularly "shady" stories: Sigma Phi Epsilon and Pi Beta Phi.

[honeychile]

Thank you for sharing this link!! It's so good to see a paper actually promote a positive image of greek life!!!

[PM_Mama00]

But why are all the stereotypical things bolded? Looks like maybe they didn't get the responses they wanted, and had to make do with the great responses they ended up getting.

[TigerLilly]

Some of those stories were really sweet, like the Pi Phis in Europe. But why couldn't they have ended the article on one of those, instead of on the negative one of the girl dropping out? I didn't really get what they were going for in this article.

[xo_kathy]

OK, I have 2 connections to this article.

First: New Hudson is a tiny itty bitty town that is part of the South Lyon school district - which I graduated from. I went to New Hudson elementary until 4th grade!

"My sorority was a source of strength, love and growth during my four years of college..." —Missy Burchart, New Hudson, Mich.

Second: I graduated from Western Michigan - though the Pi Phi chapter had just chartered my last year there (they now have a house right next to Chi O).

"I've been studying abroad in Leuven, Belgium, for this past year, away from all of my sisters of Pi Beta Phi at Western Michigan University."—Katie Lamie, Leuven, Belgium

I know this doesn't matter, but I just thought I'd point it out!

[KellyB369]

I'm not so sure where they were going with this article or why certain things were bolded. I am glad they included the positive stories about joining a sorority, but those didn't fit the question and the last one about the girl dropping out definitely did not fit.

[navane]

Not too bad. Though, I agree with the others in wondering why that last story was included. The very top of the article states, "We asked USATODAY.com users to share their funniest memories of being in a sorority or fraternity." I'm not sure how a girl reluctantly joining a sorority and then dropping out only to claim that her former sisters wouldn't talk to her qualifies as a "funny memory".



.....Kelly

[suzipiphi]

I have one big connection:

The girl from Western Michigan University is talking about my past roommate at the Pi Phi house and future roommate when she gets back from Europe. That is really hilarious. I guess I'll have to forward it to Kelsey.

Suzi

[WhiteDaisy128]

I wish they had included a little blurb about how Sorority and Fraternity life has changed in the past few years in regards to hazing. That way readers don't think some of those bad things are the norm these days...